Test Track - GM Banks One Last Turn ..While Toyota Is "Moving Forward"?

[Ride Warrior]

GM's last lap on Epcot's Test Track? -- OrlandoSentinel.com

According to the March 4th edition of the OrlandoSentinel.com, a lagging, struggling General Motors may soon pull it's wheels out from under Test Track. A 10-year sponsorship contract signed in 1999 is about up ..and renewal does not look good.



In an attempt to negotiate a new deal, an agreement has remained unreachable. GM seeks a legal understanding by March 31st. If the pact falls through, Disney stands to lose $5 million annually in sponsorship payments.



Test Track is visited by approximately 11 million guests per year, which substantially contributes to making the ride second only to the Magic Kingdom in terms of attendance ..and ranks third in America. From the onset, the attraction has served to promote new automotive advances and vehicles for GM. Unfortunately, the company is pretty much flat broke. It seems destined to join the ranks of former attraction sponsors such as AT&T, GE, FedEx and Exxon.



Amidst all that both Disney and GM are at risk of losing from a severed relationship, there is a glimmer of hope. Once again we look to Japan. To reiterate what Al has affirmed, a lushly sponsored Star Tours 2 ride coming to DLR (and recently rumored for WDW as well)seems to be contingent on forging a bargain with the Oriental Trading Company to share the costs of the ride's design and development.



Toyota very well could be the knight in shining armor for Teat Track. The automotive manufacturer is eyeing the opportunity. But, they would likely desire big changes in the attraction, which Disney most likely would not. This my friends is the tempest in the teapot. Although, Toyota is making marginal adjustments to offset the impact of the poor economy, it is still turning healthy profits. As a potential new sponsor, this "moving forward", forward moving company appears to be our odds on favorite.

[Pizzapants]

Toyota? I'm fine fine with that.

[ScottG]

Originally Posted by Pizzapants

Toyota? I'm fine fine with that.

Me too and I would assume it wont break down nearly as often..

[Jerren]

Toyota very well could be the knight in shining armor for Teat Track.

Ok folks I have to ask, was this a typo or intentional?

If Toyota wants to Sponsor Test Track I say more power to them, maybe they can add the cool power distribution graphics they have in their hybrids to the attraction...

[halltd]

I wish it were Honda taking over. But, as long as someone takes it over, I'm cool with that.

[Ride Warrior]

Originally Posted by Jerren

Ok folks I have to ask, was this a typo or intentional?

I think you hit the nail on the head.

Originally Posted by Jerren

If Toyota wants to Sponsor Test Track I say more power to them, maybe they can add the cool power distribution graphics they have in their hybrids to the attraction...

Hybrid power distribution graphics would technologically advance the ride as an "experimental prototype" attraction. This would place the ride in line with EPCOT's acromonious definition more so than most attractions there. I'm certain that Toyota would add all kinds of upgraded graphics and other sophisticated interactive elements throughout Test Track.

Originally Posted by halltd

I wish it were Honda taking over. But, as long as someone takes it over, I'm cool with that.

Never say never.

[Baloo]

Originally Posted by Ride Warrior

Toyota very well could be the knight in shining armor for Teat Track. The automotive manufacturer is eyeing the opportunity. But, they would likely desire big changes in the attraction, which Disney most likely would not.

ok the bold area caught my attention. If Disney looses the oppurtunity with Toyota because it does not want to make some changes then they are fools. At that point whoever makes that decision in WDW should be fired along with Jay Rasulo and his pathetic team

[aimster]

Originally Posted by Baloo

ok the bold area caught my attention. If Disney looses the oppurtunity with Toyota because it does not want to make some changes then they are fools. At that point whoever makes that decision in WDW should be fired along with Jay Rasulo and his pathetic team

Could not have said it any better.

[kcnole]

Toyota requiring changes would be great. That ride really needs some life injected into it. I'd love to see some changes to it.

[Ride Warrior]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ride Warrior


Toyota very well could be the knight in shining armor for Teat Track. The automotive manufacturer is eyeing the opportunity. But, they would likely desire big changes in the attraction, which Disney most likely would not.

Originally Posted by Baloo

ok the bold area caught my attention. If Disney looses the oppurtunity with Toyota because it does not want to make some changes then they are fools. At that point whoever makes that decision in WDW should be fired along with Jay Rasulo and his pathetic team

Nothing would please me more than to see Rasalo and his underlings shown the door. Just hope they "would" let it hit them on the way out.

If push comes to shove, I think Iger would override Rasolo ..and hopefully come to view him as more of a liability than an asset for the company. Don't think this would sit well with Disney Chairman John E. Pepper Jr, or Principal Creative Advisor for Walt Disney Imagineering, John Lasseter ..or the shareholders for that matter. No way would they allow Rasalo to risk losing a principal sourse for WDW profits and positive PR-driven high attendance.

In reaction to Jay, I could just hear the chairman screaming out to the WDC Board of Directors, "HE's NOT A PEPPER!"

[Stitchy]

I always thought Test TRack was fantastic advertising. I mean, you walk out of a ride, and into a car show room. HOnestly...we had NO intention of buying another car for two more years...until our vacation in Oct. We saw that Saturn SUV...and saw how much more room we would have with an SUV than with our compact car....and started looking once we got home.


OUr two major picks were Saturn and Chevy.......because of the Test Track cars.

I admit....Ford won out though. LOL

[Ride Warrior]

Originally Posted by Stitchy

I always thought Test TRack was fantastic advertising. I mean, you walk out of a ride, and into a car show room. HOnestly...we had NO intention of buying another car for two more years...until our vacation in Oct. We saw that Saturn SUV...and saw how much more room we would have with an SUV than with our compact car....and started looking once we got home.


OUr two major picks were Saturn and Chevy.......because of the Test Track cars.

I admit....Ford won out though. LOL

I would call this a premo example of Test Track's potent commercial sway.

[Coastierox]

Originally Posted by Pizzapants

Toyota? I'm fine fine with that.

At least it will have a higher resale value...

[Pizzapants]

Originally Posted by Coastierox

At least it will have a higher resale value...

but more likely to become a target of theft.

[Jerren]

Originally Posted by Pizzapants

but more likely to become a target of theft.

LOL I guess they will have to buy some of the police edition segways with the light's and sirens to chase the cars until they hit the barricades at the security gates...